Using Dish Soap to Wash Clothes by Hand
Do you need to wash your clothes and don’t have access to a washing machine? It is possible to wash your clothes by hand with a few supplies. One of the most common items for hand washing clothes is dish soap. Here’s how to use dish soap for bigger cleaning jobs.
Why Use Dish Soap to Wash Clothes?
Dish soap contains ingredients that help to lift oil and grease from surfaces. This makes it great for washing dishes, but it also works well as a laundry detergent alternative. There are several other benefits to using dish soap to hand wash your clothes:
- It’s easily accessible, being a common household item
- It’s effective for lifting heavy grease and oil from items like kitchen aprons
- It’s gentle, being milder than traditional laundry detergents
- It’s cost-effective compared to laundry detergents
How to Use Dish Soap To Wash Clothes By Hand
- Fill a basin with warm water: Warm water works best to help the detergent dissolve.
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of dish soap: The quantity of dish soap you need to use depends on the size of your basin and the amount of clothes you’re washing. Too much soap will leave your clothes feeling sticky and too little won’t properly clean your clothes.
- Submerge the clothes in the water: Gently move the clothes around the basin until they’re fully covered in water. Allow them to soak for at least 5 minutes.
- Drain the water: After the clothes have soaked for a few minutes, drain the water from the basin and gently squeeze out any excess.
- Rinse the clothes in fresh water: Refill the basin with cold water and stir the clothes around until the water appears clear. Let the clothes soak for another 5 minutes.
- Hang the clothes to dry: Once the clothes have been fully rinsed, hang them up outside to dry or, if the weather won’t cooperate, on a drying rack indoors.
Using dish soap to wash clothes by hand is not only a great way to care for delicate fabrics, but it also can be a cost-effective solution if you don’t have access to a washing machine. With a few supplies, you can successfully clean your clothes with dish soap. Just be careful not to overuse the soap as it can leave your clothes feeling sticky.